Texas Standard

It may be the single election day with the greatest power to reshape the Texas political landscape, and yet most Texas voters don’t bother with it. We’ll unpack it today.Do you know when the Texas primaries are? Plan to vote in them? The Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey joins us with the often-misunderstood stakes of primary season.Two weeks after the U.S. military action in Venezuela, why some in very pro-Trump Midland are worried about the bottom line.Plus, the San Antonian behind one of the biggest MLK Day celebrations in the nation.Those stories, the week in politics with the Texas Tribune and more. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can support this podcast at supportthispodcast.org The post How San Antonio’s MLK march became one of the nation’s largest appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Dueling ballot challenges in Tarrant County: Why longtime Texas politics-watchers say they’ve never seen anything like it.A look at a teacher’s alleged sexual misconduct and a new state law that could wind up costing a local school district millions. We’ll dive into whether other school districts could be on the hook as more victims seek accountability.Tech expert Omar Gallaga explains a controversy over explicit images generated by X’s AI tool, Grok.And a check-in on where Texas is at amid preparations for the FIFA World Cup. The post Texas readies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A new investigation shows officials were confused about how many were missing at Camp Mystic in the hours after the deadly July 4 Hill Country flood.A disruption in the courtroom during the trial of the school police officer accused of not doing enough to intervene in the Uvalde shooting: Why the sister of one of the teachers killed said she couldn’t keep quiet. SpaceX rocket launches in South Texas have affected some commercial flights. We’ll look at a ProPublica investigation over how explosion debris could endanger nearby airplanes. The Texas Supreme Court is gearing up to hear more cases. We’ll preview what’s at stake.Plus, a profile of a new and growing skateboarding group in Austin that’s defying stereotypes. The post Austin women’s skateboarding group builds space and community appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The Republican race for U.S. Senate heats up with incumbent John Cornyn raising a record amount of money ahead of the primary. We’ll dive into where the race stands there, as well as between Democrats Jasmine Crockett and James Talarico.Six months after the catastrophic Hill Country flood, where do recovery efforts stand?Hope for the future and fear nothing will change: How Venezuelans in Texas view their country’s future now that Nicolás Maduro is gone.What closing the hemp loophole means for farmers, and how Texas is set to ban smokable cannabis by the end of the month.And before Hollywood, there was the Star Movie Ranch, the first movie studio in Texas. The post Proposed THC rules draw backlash from hemp businesses appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The killing of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis last week sparked protests around the nation this weekend. We’ll look at what happened here in Texas.The state of Texas has handed over voter registration rolls to the Trump administration Justice Department. Why Texas Democrats and some experts fear that could have violated federal law and exposed confidential information about Texas voters.For some women behind bars in Nueces County, a financial education effort is underway that proponents hope will be life changing.Also, why one commentator says the Houston Texans – not the Dallas Cowboys – are now America’s team. The post Minneapolis ICE shooting prompts protests in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Concerns about the flu are making headlines in many places across the country. Where do we stand in Texas?Our conversation with the state’s epidemiologist to hear how concerned Texans need to be as flu season ramps up.Also, more and more Texas parents are crying foul over the rising cost of their kids playing in youth sports leagues. It’s not just about uniforms and equipment, either.And Netflix: not just for the sofa anymore. How the company’s making a move to brick and mortar. Texas Standard is a listener-supported production of KUT & KUTX Studios in Austin, Texas. You can help make this podcast happen by donating at supportthispodcast.org. The post What to know as flu season ramps up in Texas appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

Over three years later, the first criminal trial over the police response to the Uvalde school shooting is underway. We’ll have a live report with the latest in the trial of one of the first police officers to arrive at the scene of the deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary.With a big meeting set at the White House on Friday, we’ll review the stakes for Texas’ oil industry after the capture and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.We’ll hear why a Texas teachers union is suing the Texas Education Agency over social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Plus, social media’s struggles to keep a lid on AI deepfakes. The post Uvalde school shooting trial is underway appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The legal case against Nicolás Maduro and his wife has begun, but how’s that going to work exactly?Venezuelans living abroad, including here in Texas, continue to react to the capture. Why Austin-based “Freedom is a Feast” author Alejandro Puyana says it’s so important we keep including their voices in the news coverage.The U.S. military might increase fitness standards. Why some are pushing back on the idea.New energy projects are taking off in Matagorda County. What it means for the mostly rural area.Plus, commentator W.F. Strong pays homage to the modern archivist behind the popular “Traces of Texas” Facebook page. The post Venezuelan Texans react to Maduro’s removal appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

The latest from inside Venezuela as the Trump administration takes over and an interim president is sworn in.A look at the on again, off again immigration status of Venezuelans seeking asylum in this country – and Texas, in particular.Dallas County prosecuted its first fentanyl dealer, so how did the case fall apart?Birders have been busy with the annual Christmas Bird Count. A look at what they saw along the coast of Galveston Island.And with a new year comes a new Public Domain Day. From Betty Boop to “The Maltese Falcoln,” the Standard’s Shelly Brisbin breaks down the latest entries. The post What entered the public domain in 2026? appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.

A historic U.S. military operation has extracted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro from the country. What are the implications, both for Texas and the U.S.? University of Texas global affairs expert Jeremi Suri weighs in on this weekend’s events, including the legality of the Venezuela operation and whether it was about narcoterrorism, oil, or something more.Speaking of oil, we’ll look at the implications for Texas as a global hub of the petroleum industry.Plus, the future of oil and gas in the Rio Grande Valley, the rediscovery of a key piece of the state’s colonial history, and a Texas DJ who left a mark on American blues. The post Venezuela’s future and what it means for Texas oil appeared first on KUT & KUTX Studios -- Podcasts.